Eating. Schedule three meals and two nutritious snacks a day. If you have a picky eater, keep offering a variety of healthy foods for your child to choose from. Kids should be encouraged to give new foods a try, but don't force them to eat them.

Peeing and pooping. By 4 years old, most kids are using the toilet. But many preschoolers who are potty trained during the day are not able to stay dry all night. It's also common for busy preschoolers to have an occasional daytime accident. Look for signs of "holding it" and encourage regular potty breaks. Talk to your doctor if your child is not yet potty trained or was previously trained and is now having problems.

Sleeping.Preschoolers sleep about 11-12 hours a day. Many 4-year-olds have given up their afternoon nap, but be sure to schedule some quiet time during the day.

Developing. By 4 years, it's common for many children to:

be completely understood by strangers

know their first and last name and gender

relate events or tell a story

follow three-step commands

hop on one foot

walk up stairs, alternating feet

catch a bounced ball most of the time

identify some colors and numbers

enjoy playing with other children

4. Perform a physical exam with your child undressed while you are present. This will include listening to the heart and lungs, observing motor skills, and talking to your child to assess speech and language development.

5. Update immunizations.Immunizations can protect kids from serious childhood illnesses, so it's important that your child receive them on time. Immunization schedules can vary from office to office, so talk to your doctor about what to expect.

When your child has reached the highest weight or height limit allowed by the car-seat manufacturer, switch to a belt-positioning booster seat until your child is 4 feet 9 inches (150 cm) tall, usually between 8 and 12 years of age.

Protect your child from gun injuries by not keeping a gun in the home. If you do have a gun, keep it unloaded and locked away. Ammunition should be locked up separately. Make sure kids cannot access the keys.

These checkup sheets are consistent with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)/Bright Futures guidelines.